20 stranded tourists rescued from Himachal's Lahaul

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 7

The police today evacuated 20 tourists from Lahaul to Manali. They were stranded in Lahaul for the past four days due to sudden heavy snowfall near the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway.

According to sources, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored the road between Manali and Lahaul today for the movement of 4x4 vehicles. As a result, 23 vehicles crossed Lahaul toward Manali with the help of policemen. Tourists heaved a sigh of relief on reaching Manali.

Meanwhile, tourists were not allowed to move beyond Nehru Kund toward the Solang valley from Manali. There were reports that at a few places on the Kullu-Manali highway, shooting stones were rolling down, posing a serious threat to the lives of travellers.

In the wake of the forecast of inclement weather, the district administrations of Mandi and Kullu have issued advisories to tourists and locals not to go to higher reaches. Mandi DC Arindam Chaudhari said that tourist places such as Shikari Devi, Prashar Lake and Kamrunag Lake were covered with snow these days. “There is a forecast of snowfall and rain in Mandi on January 8. So, tourists and locals are advised not to venture into high altitude areas for next few days for trekking expeditions or recreation.

Kullu DC Ashutosh Garg also urged tourists to avoid going to high altitude areas.